Tampa, Fla. May 6, 2026 — The Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame (TBSHOF) proudly announces its second class of nine inductees, honoring a distinguished group of athletes, coaches, referees, and media figures who shaped the sport’s legacy in the Tampa Bay region.
The Class of 2026 features an owner and an iconic goalkeeper from the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a winner of the Women’s World Cup and NCAA championship, four beloved coaches, a veteran referee and a media personality who helped to grow the game.
Among those inducted are former Rowdies owner Cornelia Corbett and goalkeeper Winston DuBose, women’s soccer champion Danielle Fotopoulos, state-champion high-school coaches Bob Bauman and Ray DiPompo, former St. Pete Kickers championship coach Steve Gogas, referee Bob Heilmann and Dick Crippen, the longtime Tampa Bay area television sports anchor.
Tom Fitzgerald, former University of Tampa national-championship coach, will be inducted posthumously.
The induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Thursday, August 13, at Higgins Hall, located at 5225 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL, on the campus of St. Lawrence Catholic Church from 5:30-9:00 p.m. This event is open to the public with tickets priced at $90. A table package is $1,000 and includes premium event seating for eight people. Additionally, it includes table signage, a full-color program advertisement and recognition within the official video.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at TampaBaySoccerHallOfFame.org. For more information, call (813) 467-6916.
Additional Honors:
As part of a continued effort to celebrate Tampa Bay soccer excellence, the University of Tampa’s 1981 NCAA Division II national-championship squad will receive the Team of Distinction Award. The Spartans (15-0-3), coached by Jay Miller (TBSHOF Class of 2025), were UT’s first NCAA national champion (UT now has 30 national-title teams in six different sports).
The Passion Award will be presented to Nancy Bataille, a long-time supporter of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, while the Pioneer Award will be given posthumously to Dan Holcomb, the inaugural head coach for men’s soccer at the University of South Florida, who was 216-86-22 with eight conference championships over his 22 seasons.
Meet the TBSHOF Class of 2026:
Bob Bauman — Led Jesuit High School to five boys’ soccer state titles in 26 seasons, in which the Tigers won 24 district championships and reached the state semifinals 15 times. Bauman’s five state titles occurred during a seven-year span and his 2001 team finished first in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. His Jesuit record was 571-124-69. Member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Hall of Fame.
Cornelia Corbett — Became sole owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies from 1986-94, an era in which the franchise went from the NASL to independence to the American Indoor Soccer Association to the American Soccer League to the APSL. Dedicated philanthropist whose passion for soccer led to a $1.5-million gift to USF and the opening of its Corbett Soccer Stadium in 2011.
Dick Crippen — Award-winning television sports anchor who was a familiar face and voice in the Tampa Bay market for 35 years. But he had an unmistakable impact on the growth and popularity of soccer. He served as the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ energetic and creative public-address announcer at Tampa Stadium, delighting the “Fannies’’ with his never-ending catchphrases, such as “What do you think of your Rowdies now?’’
Ray DiPompo — DiPompo was an important figure during the 1980s infancy of public-school boys’ soccer in Hillsborough County. He built the Leto Falcons into a powerhouse, twice winning at state (1985 and 1987) and twice finishing as the state runner-up (1982 and 1994), while recording an overall 254-62-18 record. His 16-year run was halted in 1997 by triple-bypass heart surgery. He later began the program at Alonso High School in 2002.
Winston DuBose — Popular goalkeeper who helped the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the 1978 NASL Soccer Bowl (where they lost to the New York Cosmos) and also led the American Soccer League in goals-against-average (0.75) in 1988 during his second iteration with the Rowdies’ franchise. Played for the United States Men’s National Team from 1979-85, when he registered 14 caps, and became the first American to get a “work permit’’ and play for Oldham Athletic in the English second division (1988-89). DuBose retired in 1992, having played 327 professional games.
Tom Fitzgerald — Beloved former University of Tampa men’s soccer coach (1987-96), who led the Spartans to the NCAA Division II national championship in 1994. Fitzgerald was 132-32-11 in nine head-coaching seasons at UT (he was also an assistant with UT’s 1981 national-championship team). He led UCLA to the NCAA Division I national championship in 2002, becoming just the third person to capture national titles in both divisions. Fitzgerald, who also coached the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, was killed in a 2004 motorcycle accident.
Danielle Fotopoulos — Legendary women’s soccer performer who was part of the celebrated 1999 United States team that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup after becoming a catalyst behind the University of Florida’s 1998 NCAA championship team. A three-time All-American and the 1998 National Player of the Year, she holds NCAA Division I records for career goals (118) and points (284). She was head coach at Eckerd College (2010-22) and remains active in the amateur coaching scene.
Steve Gogas — Coached the St. Petersburg Kickers to the prestigious U.S. Open Cup championship in 1989. Dedicated personal coach for several notable players, including Peter Ward, the 1982 NASL Most Valuable Player. His amateur teams won multiple national titles and once had a 53-game unbeaten streak. Inducted into the halls of fame for the United States Adult Soccer Association and the Florida State Soccer Association.
Bob Heilmann — Accomplished U.S. Soccer Federation registered referee and U.S. Soccer National Assessor who officiated high-school, college, professional and World Cup qualifier soccer games for 34 years. Served on the U.S. international panel of referees for soccer from 1991-94. Lifetime educator who served as Tampa Riverview High School’s principal from 2001-14.
About Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame:
The Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame (TBSHOF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, was established in 2024 to celebrate and preserve the rich history and lasting impact of soccer in the Tampa Bay region. Honoring players, coaches, referees, executives, media members, and teams who have significantly contributed to the growth of the game, the Hall of Fame serves as a bridge between generations and a source of inspiration for future athletes.
Media Contact:
Joey Johnston
P: 813-731-8028
Email: joeyjohnston5959@gmail.com
